Reading v West Brom

Cooper has already featured 14 times for Royals this season, to add to his breakthrough campaign last year when he appeared on 19 occasions after being handed his debut by Nigel Adkins.

The defender is the latest in a long line of players who have come through the academy ranks at Reading, with fellow current first-teamers Hal Robson-Kanu and Aaron Tshibola also following similar paths.

Cooper says his perserverance as a youngster helped him to get where he wanted to be.

Hal Robson-Kanu has come through the Reading academy, like Cooper

And the fact it came so near to his home was an added bonus, having attended The Forest School in Winnersh.

"I kept enjoying the game and wanted to stay involved in it," he said.

"And eventually it worked out for me.

"I had plenty of trials from eight to 14 and I used to travel quite a lot for some places.